#metoo
You are not alone. Together we can de-stigmatize speaking out about our experiences with sexual harassment, assault, and more.
Trying to Overcome Being a Victim
Form a young, vulnerable age, girls are told what to wear and what not to wear. Girls are expected to be covered up but too much, or we are prude. Our brothers have less rules and later curfews than us. At school females are not to show our shoulders, they will cause a distraction for the boys. Our thighs are not to be seen or we are "whores." As women grow older, we are taught that “boys will be boys” and “men only want one thing,” so it’s our fault if we give off the "wrong sign" and we end up being a "tease."
By Sidney Poulter7 years ago in Viva
Truth from the Mouth of Survivors
We all have the power to be messengers, holding power in our throats or with our fingers that type away taking so much time to say our truth. The benefits of a platform is that someone is always watching, and if we are lucky, receiving and then spreading the message to others. What is the purpose if we are not listening, and then practicing what we receive for good. At my campus I had the privilege of seeing and hearing Tarana Burke. That is another benefit of University, which is the opportunity to witness current events come to life in front of you. Tarana Burke I found out is from the Bronx New York, she started organizing at the age of 14, and she grew up as a "know it all" kid knowing how to recite "For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange. Her family grew up with immense black pride, which reminds me of my own. Mrs. Burke was a teacher, and she carries herself in my opinion like a modern-day Dr. Maya Angelou. She has a familiar yet a striking, grand presence. Her still strong New-York accent reminded me of my elementary school teachers back in Brooklyn. A teacher is better than any other profession. The good ones change your life and are ingrained in our memories like our first loves.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa7 years ago in Viva
Me Too
Today, I received a text from my little brother who is in the military. He said he was worried he was going to receive an administrative discharge from the military. I asked him what happened but it made me think about our childhood and how we grew up. The early childhood trauma for him and adolescent for me. I then began thinking about the #MeToo movement, and how powerful it had been and even though I had a story to tell, I stayed silent. I will no longer stay silent. This is my story.
By Lela Harris7 years ago in Viva
'Beauty Restored': Life After Rape (Must Read)
After I had been raped I told all that needed to know. When my mom told the pastor that worked at her job, I was far from thrilled. I didn’t think that she needed to know. I wasn’t even sure I still believed in God. What would it help? Probably nothing because my heart had been aching for far too long to heal.
By The Darkest Sunrise8 years ago in Viva
A Complicated & Confusing #MeToo
Do you remember, Daddy? Or is it something an elementary schooler would make up? Because I honestly don’t remember my childhood besides the few incidences we had. It’s something I’m just now dealing with at 20-years-old and I’m slowly starting to realize that you were the catalyst for my mental illnesses and personality disorder. Well, and Mom, but that’s a different kind of abuse. Now don’t get me wrong, my mother didn’t know about the abuse while it was going on. “How would she not?” I’m sure that’s what many of you are asking. The reason is because when my parents divorced when I was two, my mom moved back to Oklahoma and me and my dad stayed in Florida, coming to Oklahoma occasionally. Conveniently, most of the abuse happened in Florida from what I can remember.
By Carmen Pennington8 years ago in Viva
Yes, Dad, #MeToo
Yes, Dad, #MeToo I have been trying, and failing, to speak my truth for years. To my parents. To my friends. To my coworkers. Every time I open my mouth to speak, I choke. The rare few times I have opened up to family members and close friends, I’ve been rebutted (“Wait, didn’t you sleep with that guy anyway?” “You were drunk.” “Well why didn’t you call the police?”). Eventually, you develop survival techniques for living with your secrets. Some of us happen to favor the unhealthy ones. My personal favorite is: If I distract myself by keeping my glass of [insert alcohol of choice here] full, I won’t think about what happened to me. The problem with my coping mechanism of choice is that, if you’re an unpredictable drunk like me, sometimes all you’ll be able to think about is the one thing you’re trying not to think about. That, or you end up speaking your truth before you’re ready, in fractured pieces to unwilling participants (which, in my case, includes my parents).
By Brooke Elizabeth8 years ago in Viva
